MUSD keeps Coutre as board president, sets goal to visit campuses

Wednesday’s meeting of the Maricopa Unified School District Governing Board mostly consisted of approving plans and strategies for the year, but members unanimously voted to retain Patti Coutré and Annamarie Knorr as the board’s president and vice-president.

“I would just like to thank you,” Coutré said. “I appreciate the opportunity you have given me to serve as president and all the support you have given me.”

Board policy states the presidency must be chosen each year, but previous boards have set a precedent of having each president serve for two years.

“I like the idea of changing up leadership, but I think a two-year term gives you the opportunity to learn your role,” Knorr said.

Throughout the night, the board discussed policies and goals for the upcoming year. Most policies were kept the same, but the board determined new goals for 2016.

In 2016, each board member will attempt to visit all nine MUSD schools. In an effort to be more involved with the district’s stakeholders, board members will also attempt to appear at more public events together.

“I would really like to see us (get involved) with PTOs and site visits,” board member Gary Miller said. “When I was campaigning I visited each school, and I’d like to get back to that.”

The board also brought up the need for an alternative learning program. Most districts around MUSD have alternative programs for struggling secondary students, and the board wants a concerted effort to reach those students locally.

“We did a lot for our gifted kids, and I would like to see us also meet these other kids’ needs,” board member Torri Anderson said. “We can’t just continue to long-term suspend or short-term suspend. There needs to be some place for these kids to go.”

The board will place the alternative program on a future agenda to work out the details and needs of the program.

The MUSD Governing Board will reconvene on Jan. 27 at 6:30 p.m.